Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is spicing up the Waqf Act to cut down the “superpowers” of the Waqf Board, which owns a massive chunk of land, second only to the Indian Railways and armed forces.
Last Friday, the cabinet approved 40 changes to the act, with a bill coming to Parliament soon. The goal? To add a mandatory verification process for properties claimed by the Waqf Board and reduce its arbitrary powers. Plus, district magistrates might start babysitting Waqf properties to prevent misuse, and there could be more women in the Central Waqf Council.
Waqf properties generate Rs 200 crore annually, and these funds will be closely watched under the new amendments.
What’s a Waqf?
It’s property dedicated to God for religious and charitable purposes, like mosques and schools. Once Waqf, always Waqf, according to Sharia law.
The Waqf Act of 1954, passed during Nehru’s time, centralized Waqfs, and now every state has a Waqf Board managing these properties. They oversee transfers, recoveries, and sanctions of properties.
The Waqf Boards own a staggering amount of land and properties, with many legal disputes ongoing. Controversies are not new; the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board recently claimed ownership of an entire Hindu-majority village, stirring up trouble.
Opposition leader Asaduddin Owaisi and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board are not thrilled about these changes, fearing a loss of Waqf autonomy and increased government control. But this isn’t the first amendment; the Congress-led UPA government in 2013 gave more powers to Waqf Boards, which has been contentious ever since.
Waqf Boards manage nearly 870,000 properties, and issues surrounding their claims have led to thousands of complaints and legal cases. For example, a 2022 controversy saw the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board assert ownership over a predominantly Hindu village, causing significant backlash.
Opposition leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi argue that the amendments will strip the Waqf Board of its independence and increase government interference, aligning with a perceived Hindutva agenda. Similarly, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board opposes any alterations to the Waqf Act, stressing that these changes would not be tolerated.
While resistance is strong, the government insists these amendments are necessary to bring transparency and accountability to the management of Waqf properties. The debate continues as the bill awaits its introduction to Parliament, promising more political drama ahead.
